U.S. patent number 10,873,672 [Application Number 16/101,782] was granted by the patent office on 2020-12-22 for image processing apparatus, method of controlling image processing apparatus, and storage medium.
This patent grant is currently assigned to CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA. The grantee listed for this patent is CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA. Invention is credited to Takashi Kuroda.
United States Patent |
10,873,672 |
Kuroda |
December 22, 2020 |
Image processing apparatus, method of controlling image processing
apparatus, and storage medium
Abstract
A method of controlling an image processing apparatus makes it
possible to suppress, in an auto color selection function, color
determination resulting from a minute color element of a document
without troubling a user.
Inventors: |
Kuroda; Takashi (Tokyo,
JP) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA |
Tokyo |
N/A |
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA (Tokyo,
JP)
|
Family
ID: |
1000005259005 |
Appl.
No.: |
16/101,782 |
Filed: |
August 13, 2018 |
Prior Publication Data
|
|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20190068796 A1 |
Feb 28, 2019 |
|
Foreign Application Priority Data
|
|
|
|
|
Aug 23, 2017 [JP] |
|
|
2017-159942 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06T
7/90 (20170101); H04N 1/00801 (20130101); H04N
1/00031 (20130101); H04N 1/56 (20130101); H04N
1/46 (20130101); H04N 1/00005 (20130101); H04N
2201/33378 (20130101); G06T 2207/10008 (20130101); G06T
2207/30176 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H04N
1/00 (20060101); G06T 7/90 (20170101); H04N
1/56 (20060101); H04N 1/46 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;358/462,1.15,1.9,453,448,2.1 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Vo; Quang N
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Canon U.S.A., Inc. IP Division
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An image processing apparatus, comprising: a reading unit
configured to read a document and generate image data; a
determination unit configured to determine whether the document is
a color document or a monochrome document based on the image data
and a reference value of a number of color pixels; a processing
unit configured to process the image data based on a result of the
color determination; a displaying unit configured to display a
screen including a first object for setting a first reference value
as the reference value and a second object for setting a second
reference as the reference value; and a user interface, wherein the
determination unit determines that the document is the color
document at least based on the number of color pixels included in
the image data exceeding the first reference value in a case where
the first object is selected by the user interface, the
determination determines that the document is the monochrome
document at least based on the number of color pixels included in
the image not exceeding the first reference value in a case where
the first object is selected by the user interface, the
determination unit determines that the document is the color
document at least based on the number of color pixels included in
the image data exceeding the second reference value in a case where
the second object is selected by the user interface, the
determination determines that the document is the monochrome
document at least based on the number of color pixels included in
the image data not exceeding the second reference value in a case
where the second object is selected by the user interface, and
wherein the second value is greater than the first reference
value.
2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
reference value is settable for each job including reading of the
document.
3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
processing unit stores the image data as a color file in a case
where the determination unit determines that the document is the
color document, and stores the image data as a monochrome file in a
case where the determination unit determines that the document is
the monochrome document.
4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
screen further includes a third object for causing the image
processing apparatus to determine that the document is the color
document regardless of the reference value.
5. A method of controlling an image processing apparatus,
comprising: reading a document and generating image data,
determining whether the document is a color document or a
monochrome document based on the image data and a reference value
of a number of color pixels, and processing the image data based on
a result of the color determination; and displaying a screen
including a first object for setting a first reference value as the
reference value and a second object for setting a second reference
value as the reference value wherein it is determined that the
document is the color document at least based on the number of
color pixels included in the image data exceeding a first reference
value in a case where the first object is selected by a user, it is
determined that the document is the monochrome document at least
based on the number of color pixels included in the image data not
exceeding the first reference value in a case where the first
object is selected by the user, it is determined that the document
is the color document at least based on the number of color pixels
included in the image data exceeding a second reference value in a
case where the second object is selected by the user, it is
determined that the document is the monochrome document at least
based on the number of color pixels included in the image data not
exceeding the second reference value in a case where the second
object is selected by the user, and the second reference value is
greater than the first reference value.
6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the screen further
includes a third object for causing the image processing apparatus
to determine that the document is the color document regardless of
the reference value.
7. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a
program that causes a computer to execute a method of controlling
an image processing apparatus, the method comprising: reading a
document and generating image data, determining whether the
document is a color document or a monochrome document based on the
image data and a reference value of a number of color pixels;
processing the image data based on a result of the color
determination; and displaying a screen including a first object for
setting a first reference value as the reference value and a second
object for setting a second reference value as the reference value,
wherein it is determined that the document is the color document at
least based on the number of color pixels included in the image
data exceeding a first reference value in a case where the first
object is selected by a user, it is determined that the document is
the monochrome document at least based on the number of color
pixels included in the image data not exceeding the first reference
value in a case where the first object is selected by the user, it
is determined that the document is the color document at least
based on the number of color pixels included in the image data
exceeding a second reference value in a case where the second
object is selected by the user, it is determined that the document
is the monochrome document at least based on the number of color
pixels included in the image data not exceeding the second
reference value in a case where the second object is selected by
the user, and the second reference value is greater than the first
reference value.
8. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to
claim 7, wherein the screen further includes a third object for
causing the image processing apparatus to determine that the
document is the color document regardless of the reference value.
Description
BACKGROUND
Field
The present disclosure relates to an image processing apparatus
that automatically determines a color of a document and performs
processing, a method of controlling the image processing apparatus,
and a storage medium.
Description of the Related Art
An existing image forming apparatus performs color print output in
a case where a document is determined as a color document in auto
color selection (hereinafter, "ACS") and performs monochrome print
output in a case where the document is determined as a monochrome
document.
In recent years, color determination accuracy of the ACS has
improved with higher performance of image processing. Therefore, a
minute color element of the document is detected. However, as an
adverse effect thereof, there is an issue that the document can be
determined as a color document due to dirt or yellowing of the
document, and the document is printed in color.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-330241 discusses a
technique in which document image data and a result of ACS
determination are temporarily stored in a storage device, and the
result of ACS determination is forcibly changed before printing or
transmission output.
The above-described existing technique includes, with respect to
the document image data and the result of ACS determination held by
the storage device, confirming an image of each page and changing
the result of ACS determination.
SUMMARY
According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an image
processing apparatus includes a reading unit configured to read
image data from a document, a determination unit configured to
perform color determination, based on the image data, to determine
whether the document is a color document or a monochrome document,
a processing unit configured to process the image data based on a
result of the color determination, and a setting unit configured to
set a mode relating to the color determination. The determination
unit performs the color determination using a first reference value
in a case where a first mode is set by the setting unit, and
performs the color determination using a second reference value
different from the first reference value in a case where a second
mode is set by the setting unit.
Further features will become apparent from the following
description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an entire configuration of
an image processing apparatus according to an exemplary
embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a software module configuration of
the image processing apparatus according to the present exemplary
embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a diagram to explain details of a scanner image
processing unit of an image processing apparatus according to a
first exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a diagram to explain an appearance of an operation unit
of the image processing apparatus according to the present
exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a copy screen of the image
processing apparatus according to the present exemplary
embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a color mode setting screen of the
image processing apparatus according to the present exemplary
embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating processing when scan images are
accumulated, according to the first exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating details of a scanner image
processing unit of an image processing apparatus according to a
second exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating processing when scan images are
accumulated, according to the second exemplary embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described
below with reference to drawings.
<Description of Image Processing Apparatus>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an entire configuration of
an image processing apparatus according to an exemplary
embodiment.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, an image processing apparatus 1 according
to a first exemplary embodiment includes a controller unit 100, a
scanner 113, a printer 114, and an operation unit 109.
The controller unit 100 controls the entire image processing
apparatus 1. The scanner 113 is an image input device that reads
image data from a document. The printer 114 is an image output
device that performs printing on a recording sheet. The operation
unit 109 is a user interface that receives an instruction from an
operator and presents information to the operator. The scanner 113,
the printer 114, and the operation unit 109 are each connected to
the controller 100 and are each controlled by an instruction from
the controller unit 100.
The controller unit 100 includes a central processing unit (CPU)
101. The CPU 101 is a controller that controls the entire system,
and is connected to, via a system bus 108, a random access memory
(RAM) 102, a read-only memory (ROM) 103, a hard disk drive (HDD)
104, an operation unit interface (I/F) 106, and a network I/F 107.
The RAM 102 is a memory to provide a work area of the CPU 101. The
RAM 102 is used as a setting value storage memory that temporarily
stores parameter setting, and as an image memory that stores a part
of the image data. The ROM 103 is a boot ROM that stores a system
boot program, etc. The HDD 104 is a hard disk drive that stores
system software, history of parameter setting values, image data,
etc.
When the system boot program stored by the ROM 103 is read out and
stored in the RAM 102, the CPU 101 enters a state where the CPU 101
can execute a controller program.
The operation unit I/F 106 is an interface for input/output between
the controller unit 100 and the operation unit 109. The operation
unit I/F 106 outputs, to the operation unit 109, image data
instructed by the CPU 101 and displayed, and transmits, to the CPU
101, information input by the operator via the operation unit
109.
The network I/F 107 is connected to a local area network (LAN) 105,
and performs input/output of information on the LAN 105.
A device I/F 110 connects the scanner 113 and the printer 114 that
are an image input/output device, to the controller unit 100. The
device I/F 110 performs synchronous/asynchronous conversion of
image data and transmits setting values, adjustment values, and
data about a device state.
A raster image processor (RIP) 115 rasterizes a page description
language (PDL) code received from the LAN 105, into a bitmap
image.
A scanner image processing unit 116 performs, on the image data
input via the scanner 113, various kinds of processing, such as
correction, modification, image area separation, scaling, and
editing such as binarization. The scanner image processing unit 116
includes a function of determining, based on a chroma signal of the
input image, whether the input image is a color document or a
monochrome document, and storing a result of the determination.
A printer image processing unit 117 performs, on image data to be
printed out, processing such as correction corresponding to the
printer 114 and resolution conversion, and processing such as
adjustment of a printing position of an image.
A color space conversion unit 118 converts, for example, a YUV
image stored in the memory (e.g. RAM102 or HDD 104) into a Lab
image through matrix calculation, and stores the Lab image in the
memory (e.g. RAM102 or HDD 104).
A gradation conversion unit 119 converts an image of 8 bits/256
gradations stored in the memory (e.g. RAM102 or HDD 104) into an
image of 1 bit/2 gradations by a method such as error diffusion
processing, and stores the converted image in the memory (e.g.
RAM102 or HDD 104). The color space conversion unit 118, the
gradation conversion unit 119, an unillustrated image rotation
unit, an unillustrated resolution conversion unit, and an
unillustrated image compression unit are operable in conjunction
with one another. For example, in a case where image rotation and
resolution conversion are performed on the image stored in the
memory (e.g. RAM102 or HDD 104), both the processes are performable
without using the memory (e.g. RAM102 or HDD 104).
The printer 114 includes at least one or more feeding cassettes in
which print sheets are stored. Information such as a residual sheet
amount of each of the feeding cassettes and presence/absence of
toner is transmitted to the CPU 101 through the device I/F 110.
The scanner 113 includes an auto document feeder and a platen
reader, and can read both surfaces of a plurality of documents. The
scanner 113 also includes a sensor that detects opening/closing of
a document cover, presence/absence of a document, and a document
size. The information detected by the sensor and state information
of the scanner 113 are transmitted to the CPU 101 through the
device I/F 110.
<Description of Software Module>
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a software module configuration of
the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present exemplary
embodiment. Each of illustrated software modules is operated when
the CPU 101 executes programs held by the HDD 104, etc.
A job control processing unit 201 controls software modules, and
controls all jobs occurred inside the image processing apparatus 1,
such as copying, printing, scanning, and user interface (UI)
processing.
A UI processing unit 202 performs control relating to the operation
unit 109 and the operation unit I/F 106. The UI processing unit 202
notifies the job control processing unit 201 of operation contents
of the operation unit 109 by the operator, and controls display
contents on a display screen of the operation unit 109 in response
to an instruction from the job control processing unit 201. The UI
processing unit 202 controls, for example, editing of drawing data
to be displayed on the operation unit 109.
A network processing unit 203 is a module that controls external
communications that are performed via the network I/F 107, and
controls communication with devices on the LAN 105. When receiving
control commands and data from the devices on the LAN 105, the
network processing unit 203 notifies the job control processing
unit 201 of the received contents. The network processing unit 203
transmits control commands and data to the devices on the LAN 105
in response to an instruction from the job control processing unit
201.
A scan processing unit 204 controls the scanner 113 in response to
an instruction of the job control processing unit 201, and
instructs the scanner 113 to read a document placed on the auto
document feeder or the platen reader of the scanner 113. The scan
processing unit 204 instructs the scanner image processing unit 116
to perform image processing on the read document image. The scan
processing unit 204 acquires the state information of the scanner
113 and notifies the job control processing unit 201 of the state
information.
A print processing unit 205 controls the printer image processing
unit 117 and the printer 114, and performs print processing on a
specified image, in response to an instruction from the job control
processing unit 201. The print processing unit 205 receives, from
the job control processing unit 201, information such as image
data, image information (e.g., size, color mode, and resolution of
image data), layout information (e.g., offset,
enlargement/reduction, and layout), and output sheet information
(size and printing direction). The print processing unit 205
controls the printer image processing unit 117 to perform
appropriate image processing on the image data, and controls and
instruct the printer 114 to perform printing on the print sheet.
The print processing 205 acquires state information of the printer
114 and notifies the job control processing unit 201 of the state
information.
<Detailed Description of Scanner Image Processing Unit>
FIG. 3 is a diagram to explain details of the scanner image
processing unit 116 according to the first exemplary
embodiment.
As illustrated in FIG. 3, luminance signals of 8 bits for colors
RGB provided from the scanner 113 are converted by a masking unit
301 into standard RGB color signals that are independent of filter
colors of charge-coupled devices (CCDs).
A scaling unit 302 receives the RGB signals output from the masking
unit 301, and performs scaling of the RGB signals as necessary. A
filter 303 receives the RGB signals output from the scaling unit
302, and performs filter processing such as shading and modulation
of the image. A gamma unit 304 receives the RGB signals output from
the filter 303, and performs gamma correction so as to make the
density of the entire image thicker or thinner.
A color space conversion unit 305 receives the RGB signals output
from the masking unit 301, and converts the image signals before
scaling into known Lab image signals for determination whether the
document is a color document or a monochrome document. Among them,
a and b indicate color signal components. A comparator 306 receives
the color signal components a and b output from the color space
conversion unit 305. When a level of each of the color signal
components is equal to or higher than a predetermined level, the
comparator 306 outputs a 1-bit determination signal indicating
color, and otherwise, the comparator 306 outputs a 1-bit
determination signal indicating monochrome. A counter 307 measures
the 1-bit determination signal output from the comparator 306.
A color determination unit 308 compares a measurement result
(counter value) of the counter 307 and a reference value of color
determination (hereinafter, "color determination value") of auto
color selection (ACS), to determine whether a document is a color
document or a monochrome document. In a case where the number of
color pixels included in the image data exceeds the color
determination value, the color determination unit 308 determines
the document as a color document, and in a case where the number of
color pixels does not exceed the color determination value, the
color determination unit 308 determines the document as a
monochrome document. While details are described below, in the
first exemplary embodiment, a value set as the color determination
value of the color determination unit 308 is changed over based on
the setting of a color mode described below.
<Configuration of Operation Unit 109>
A configuration of the operation unit 109 is described below with
reference to FIG. 4 to FIG. 6.
FIG. 4 is a diagram to explain an appearance of the operation unit
109.
In FIG. 4, a liquid crystal display (LCD) touch panel 400 is a
display input unit of the operation unit 109, and main mode setting
and state display are performed on the LCD touch panel 400. A
numeric keypad 401 is used to input numeric values from 0 to 9. An
identification (ID) button 402 is used to input a department number
and a password mode in a case where the image processing apparatus
1 is managed for each department.
A reset button 403 is used to reset the set mode. A guide button
404 is used to display an explanation screen for each mode. An
interruption button 406 is used to perform interruption copy.
A copy start button 407 is used to start copy operation. A stop
button 408 is used to suspend a copy job under execution. A power
saving switch (SW) 409 is used to turn off a backlight of the LCD
touch panel 400 and to put the apparatus into a power saving state
by being depressed.
A copy icon 405 is displayed on the LCD touch pan 1400. When the
copy icon 405 is depressed, a copy screen 500 in FIG. 5 is
displayed on the LCD touch panel 400.
FIG. 5 is a diagram to explain an example of the copy screen 500
displayed on the LCD touch panel 400 of the operation unit 109.
In the copy screen 500 in FIG. 5, a magnification setting key 502
is used to set printing magnification. A sheet selection key 503 is
used to set whether a feeding cassette desired to be used for
printing is directly specified by a user or a feeding cassette is
automatically determined according to a print image. A color mode
setting key 501 is used to set a color mode of a document. When the
color mode setting key 501 is depressed, a pop-up screen of color
mode setting in FIG. 6 is displayed on the LCD touch panel 400.
FIG. 6 is a diagram to explain an example of a pop-up screen 600
for color mode setting displayed on the LCD touch panel 400 of the
operation unit 109.
In the pop-up screen 600 for color ode setting in FIG. 6, keys 601
to 604 are used to set respective color modes.
The key 601 is used to set the color mode to "automatic". In a case
where the color mode is "automatic", the document is determined as
a color document even when the document includes a minute color
element.
The key 602 is used to set the color mode to "automatic 2". In a
case where the color mode is "automatic 2", the document is
determined as a monochrome document if the document includes only a
minute color element.
The key 603 is used to set the color mode to "color". In a case
where the color mode is "color", the ACS is not performed, and the
document is fixedly processed as a color document. The key 604 is
used to set the color mode to "monochrome". In a case where the
color mode is "monochrome", the ACS is not performed, and the
document is fixedly processed as a monochrome document.
The color mode is set for each job including reading of the
document.
<Flowchart>
A method of determining a color of a document image according to
the first exemplary embodiment will be described below with
reference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example
of processing when scan images are accumulated, according to the
first exemplary embodiment. The processing by the CPU 101 in FIG. 7
is realized when the CPU 101 reads and executes the programs held
by the HDD 104, etc.
In step S701, the scanner 113 reads the document image as RGB color
image data to the memory under control of the CPU 101, and the CPU
101 transfers the RGB color image data to the RAM 102 through the
device I/F 110.
In step S702, the CPU 101 determines whether the color mode set by
the keys 601 to 604 is "automatic". In a case where the CPU 101
determines that the color mode is "automatic" (YES in step S702),
the processing proceeds to step S703.
In step S703, the CPU 101 instructs the scanner image processing
unit 116 to set a predetermined value 1 as the color determination
value of the color determination unit 308, and the processing then
proceeds to step S706. In response to the instruction, the scanner
image processing unit 116 sets the color determination value of the
color determination unit 308 to the predetermined value 1.
In a case where the CPU 101 determines in step S702 that the color
mode is not "automatic" (NO in step S702), the processing proceeds
to step S704.
In step S704, the CPU 101 determines whether the color mode is
"automatic 2". In a case where the CPU 101 determines that the
color mode is "automatic 2" (YES in step S704), the processing
proceeds to step S705.
In step S705, the CPU 101 instructs the scanner image processing
unit 116 to set a predetermined value 2 as the color determination
value of the color determination unit 308. In response to the
instruction, the scanner image processing unit 116 sets the color
determination value of the color determination unit 308 to the
predetermined value 2. When the predetermined value 2 is made
greater than the predetermined value 1, the document is less likely
to be determined as a color document in the color mode "automatic
2", as compared with the color mode "automatic".
In the case where the color mode is "automatic" or "automatic 2",
the scanner image processing unit 116 sets the color determination
value to a value corresponding to the color mode, and then reads
the value of the counter 307 in step S706.
In the scanner image processing unit 116, the color determination
unit 308 compares the counter value read in step S706 and the
above-described color determination value, to perform color
determination. In a case where the counter value read in step S706
is greater than the above-described color determination value (YES
in step S707), the color determination unit 308 of the scanner
image processing unit 116 determines that the document is a color
document. The CPU 101 acquires a result of the color determination
(in this case, "color document") from the scanner image processing
unit 116. The processing then proceeds to step S708. In step S708,
the CPU 101 accumulates, as a color image file, the RGB color image
acquired from the scanner 113 in the HDD 104. The processing in
this flowchart then ends.
In a case where the counter value read in step S706 is less than or
equal to the color determination value (NO in step S707), the color
determination unit 308 of the scanner image processing unit 116
determines that the document is a monochrome document. The CPU 101
acquires a result of the color determination (in this case,
"monochrome document") from the scanner image processing unit 116.
The processing then proceeds to step S709. In step S709, the CPU
101 converts the RGB color image data acquired from the scanner
113, into monochrome image data by the color space conversion unit
118, and accumulates the converted image data as a monochrome image
file in the HDD 104. The processing in the flowchart then ends.
In a case where the CPU 101 determines in step S704 that the color
mode is not "automatic 2" (NO in step S704), it is unnecessary to
perform the ACS, and the processing proceeds to step S710.
In step S710, the CPU 101 determines whether the color mode is
"color". In a case where the CPU determines that the color mode is
"color" (YES in step S710), the processing proceeds to step S708.
In step S708, the CPU 101 accumulates, as a color image file, the
RGB color image data acquired from the scanner 113, in the HDD 104.
The processing in the flowchart then ends.
In a case where the CPU 101 determines in step S710 that the color
mode is not "color" (NO in step S710), the processing proceeds to
step S709. In step S709, the CPU 101 converts the RGB color image
data acquired from the scanner 113 into monochrome image data by
the color space conversion unit 118, and accumulates the converted
image data as a monochrome image file in the HDD 104. The
processing in the flowchart then ends.
As described above, according to the first exemplary embodiment, it
is possible to suppress, in the ACS function, color determination
resulting from a minute color element of a document without
troubling the user.
In the above-described first exemplary embodiment, the
configuration in which a plurality of color determination reference
values is provided with respect to one color determination unit 308
included in the scanner image processing unit 116, to provide a
plurality of modes of the ACS has been described. In a second
exemplary embodiment, a configuration in which a plurality of color
determination units is provided in the scanner image processing
unit 116 will be described with reference to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9.
FIG. 8 is a diagram to explain details of the scanner image
processing unit 116 according to the second exemplary
embodiment.
As illustrated in FIG. 8, the scanner image processing unit 116
according to the second exemplary embodiment includes a plurality
of color determination units (color determination unit 1 (309) and
color determination unit 2 (310)).
The color determination unit 1 (309) compares the measurement
result (counter value) of the counter 307 and the color
determination value (predetermined value 1), to determine whether
the document is a color document or a monochrome document.
The color determination unit 2 (310) compares the measurement
result (counter value) of the counter 307 and the color
determination value (predetermined value 2), to determine whether
the document is a color document or a monochrome document.
The color determination value 2 (=predetermined value 2) used by
the color determination unit 2 (310) is set greater than the color
determination value 1 (=predetermined value 1) used by the color
determination unit 1 (310). In other words, in a case where the
color determination is performed with use of the color
determination unit 2 (310), the document is less likely to be
determined as a color document, as compared with a case where the
color determination is performed with use of the color
determination unit 1 (310).
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing when
the scan images are accumulated, according to the second exemplary
embodiment. The processing of the CPU 101 in FIG. 9 is realized
when the CPU 101 reads and executes the programs held by the HDD
104, etc.
The processes in steps S801, S802, and S804 are respectively the
same as processes in steps S701, S702, and S704 in FIG. 7, and
description of the steps is therefore omitted. In step S802, in a
case where the color mode is determined as "automatic" (YES in step
S802), the processing proceeds to step S803.
In step S803, the CPU 101 instructs the scanner image processing
unit 116 to perform the color determination with use of the color
determination unit 1 (309). The processing then proceeds to step
S806. In response to the instruction, the scanner image processing
unit 116 performs the color determination with use of the color
determination unit 1 (309).
In a case where it is determined in step S804 that the color mode
is "automatic 2" (YES in step S804), the processing proceeds to
step S805.
In step S805, the CPU 101 instructs the scanner image processing
unit 116 to perform the color determination with use of the color
determination unit 2 (310). The processing then proceeds to step
S806. In response to the instruction, the scanner image processing
unit 116 performs the color determination with use of the color
determination unit 2 (310).
In step S806, the CPU 101 acquires a result of the color
determination performed. In step S803 or S805 by the scanner image
processing unit 116, and determines whether the result of the color
determination is "color document". In a case where the CPU 101
determines that the result of the color determination performed by
the scanner image processing unit 116 is "color document" (YES in
step S806), the processing proceeds to step S807. In step S807, the
CPU 101 accumulates, as a color image file, the RCB color image
data acquired from the scanner 113, in the HDD 104. The processing
in the flowchart then ends.
In a case where the CPU 101 determines in step S806 that the result
of the color determination performed by the seamier image
processing unit 116 is not a "color document", i.e., is a
monochrome document (NO in step S806), the processing proceeds to
step S808. In step S808, the CPU 101 converts the RGB color image
data acquired from the scanner 113 into monochrome image data by
the color space conversion unit 118, and accumulates the converted
image data as a monochrome image file, in the HDD 104. The
processing in the flowchart then ends.
Processes in steps S809, S807, and S808 are respectively the same
as the processes in steps S710, S708, and S709 in FIG. 7, and
description of the steps is therefore omitted.
The color determination unit 1 and the color determination unit 2
described above may each include any configuration as long as the
color determination unit 2 includes the configuration in which the
document is less likely to be determined as a color document, as
compared with the configuration of the color determination unit
1.
As described above, according to the second exemplary embodiment,
it is possible to suppress, in the ACS function, color
determination resulting from a minute color element of a document
without troubling the user, as with the first exemplary
embodiment.
The configuration and the contents of the various kinds of data are
not limited to those described above, and the various kinds of data
can include other various configurations and contents according to
an application or a purpose.
While some exemplary embodiments have been described, the present
disclosure can adopt an implementation form of, for example, a
system, an apparatus, a method, a program, or a storage medium.
Specifically, the present disclosure can be applied to a system
including a plurality of devices, or to an apparatus including one
device.
Combined configurations of the above-described exemplary
embodiments are also all included in the present disclosure.
Other Embodiments
Embodiment(s) can also be realized by a computer of a system or
apparatus that reads out and executes computer executable
instructions (e.g., one or more programs) recorded on a storage
medium (which may also be referred to more fully as a
`non-transitory computer-readable storage medium`) to perform the
functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s)
and/or that includes one or more circuits (e.g., application
specific integrated circuit (ASIC)) for performing the functions of
one or more of the above-described embodiment(s), and by a method
performed by the computer of the system or apparatus by, for
example, reading out and executing the computer executable
instructions from the storage medium to perform the functions of
one or more of the above-described embodiment(s) and/or controlling
the one or more circuits to perform the functions of one or more of
the above-described embodiment(s). The computer may comprise one or
more processors (e.g., central processing unit (CPU), micro
processing unit (MPU)) and may include a network of separate
computers or separate processors to read out and execute the
computer executable instructions. The computer executable
instructions may be provided to the computer, for example, from a
network or the storage medium. The storage medium may include, for
example, one or more of a hard disk, a random-access memory (RAM),
a read only memory (ROM), a storage of distributed computing
systems, an optical disk (such as a compact disc (CD), digital
versatile disc (DVD), or Blu-ray Disc (BD).TM.) a flash memory
device, a memory card, and the like.
While exemplary embodiments have been described, it is to be
understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed
exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be
accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such
modifications and equivalent structures and functions.
This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application
No. 2017-159942, filed Aug. 23, 2017, which is hereby incorporated
by reference herein in its entirety.
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